My orchid has been continuing to bloom over the past couple of months & brightening my room – it always makes me smile. While I’d love to put up photos of it in full flower, sadly a couple of the flowers are starting to droop. But the flowers have been, and still are, lovely and I thought it worth a few photos before the magic is gone…

Back in autumn I pruned my callistemon (an Australian native) but what I was left with was a fair few branches that were a bit too big to compost and felt like a waste to throw out. I decided to use the branches in a pot to form a tepee and planted sweet peas all around the bottom.

The peas have only now decided they are going to flower, despite being almost summer. However when they are this pretty and delicate, I guess I shouldn’t complain that I had to wait – hopefully they will continue to flower through summer and make the most of my left over branches.

I’ve been waiting for over a year – but finally, my Black Barlow Aquilegia has started to flower. I sought out a seedling of the Black Barlow last year due to the deep rich colour and, to the best of my knowledge, isn’t around my area very much. It almost died over summer from the intense heat – however with a bit of nurture it survived and has started to bloom. I realise I change my mind every week – but this week it’s my favourite flower in the garden.

Spring has been well and truly in the air for some time now, and as a result it’s easy to find signs of spring throughout the garden. I think I had more flowers and bulbs out last year – unfortunately neglect from finishing the renovations before our permit ran out meant aphids destroyed a l lot of bulbs before I’d even realised they had moved in. But what was left remains beautiful and provides a pleasant working ground for creating the summer garden. Also included in the spring flowers is my very first apple blossom which can’t help but make me smile!

A new pet? A small child? Pretty close – I have, with hesitation, introduced an orchid into our lives. I have always felt orchids indicated that next level of obsessive gardening, indicating a point of no return. The more time that goes on however, I struggle to see why that’s a bad thing. I fell in love with orchids back when I went to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in March, which had the most spectacular display, and the desire to own one has gradually been building ever since. With a nursery voucher left over from my birthday (to get something special) I found myself last weekend contemplating taking home an orchid. At the time, I decided the responsibility was too great and wandered home. However that very same day, my partner Chris came home after helping clean out someone’s house with what he described as a bag of leftover, unwanted soil. I wandered outside to find a small bag of orchid potting mix – surely it was a sign! The next day I found a “beginning with orchids” book on sale for $10. I took that as a sign too…

So today I ventured out with the knowledge there is no turning back. At the checkout the cashier said “oh you’re taking home a child!” which did make me feel a little better about the over-exaggerated feeling of responsibility growing in my head. She also made a comment regarding it not being too expensive if it dies. That really cemented it for me as my stubbornness boiled up thinking “I won’t kill it!” It’s now pride of place on my desk, beaming back at me. I’m also looking for names for my new “pet” if anyone has any funny or creative ideas…

I’ve had the pleasure of a garden filled with flowering winter bulbs over the past couple of weeks. They have not only brightened the garden, but have been a great reminder of the winter beauty that can exist. But time to get excited – spring is only a day away!

Last year we placed three small hanging baskets on the fence which can be seen out the window next to my desk where I write this blog. They flowered all spring and summer and made my work space very cheerful. However I’ve ignored them and they’ve been dead and empty for most of winter… With spring getting ever so close, it was time for replanting! I dug through some compost and fresh potting mix with the soil already in the baskets followed by planting some cheap flower seedlings and a few oregano cuttings. Instant colour & brightness! Hopefully they will continue to grow, flower and inspire me over the next gardening season.